The Government Of Quebec Might Soon Let Montreal Landlords Demand A Security Deposit From Tenants

The minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing says they are looking at changing the Quebec laws that currently forbids security deposits.

In Quebec, the Régie du logement protects the rights of tenants and landlords alike. There are strict rules in place about how landlords and tenants should act and what each of their respective responsibilities are.

One rule enforced in Montreal is that landlords cannot ask for a security deposit when renting an apartment out to tenants. Of course, this rule is not always respected, but it does exist.

The new CAQ government wants to change that. Andrée Laforest, minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, has said that he is currently looking into the feasability of having landlords ask for a security deposit.

This announcement comes after a petition created by the CORPIQ (corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec) which is advocating for the right of landlords to ask for a security deposit.

The petition claims that every year landlords spend over $150 million to restore rental units into proper rental condition.

The petition also claims that the security deposit would provide insurance against tenants that do not pay their rent, as "each year, more than $250 million is lost by landlords in unpaid rents." The petition has almost 5,000 signatures.